Happy Birthday to Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender (10 August 1909 - 21 March 1991), a true visionary if ever there was one. Despite creating many amazing products, the P Bass being nearest & dearest to my heart, Leo never played an instrument with any proficiency. He took some piano lessons and sax lessons as a youngster but he never regularly played an instrument.

Today, he would have been 101 years old though every time I play one of my P Basses or J Bass, he's still very much alive in my heart. Thanks Leo and Rock On!

I had the opportunity and the privilege to work for him at G&L. He was well a really nice guy.

I tell people I worked for him and they will ask me what was he really like, well he was like your grandpa or favorite uncle.
It is true he was not a guitarist, he could run some scales, and he knew the chords but he was always trying to get the sound in his out for the world to use.

The world does seem to be a smaller place without him.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

I've heard that about Leo. Many of the long term employees mentioned in some Fender books cite him as the reason they stayed on all those years, plus how he shaped their values as crafts people.

I am glad you had the opportunity to have worked for him!

Happy Birthday Leo. (RIP)